Oglala woman wins Miss Indian Rodeo
By Richie Richards
Native Sun News Today Correspondent
nativesunnews.today
PIERRE – A young university student from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation brought home the title of Miss Indian Rodeo from the 2018
Indian National Finals Rodeo held in Las Vegas.
Held October 23-27, 2018, the Indian National Finals Rodeo brought hundreds of competitors from around the United States and Canada for five days of rodeo action. Among them were the six women vying to become the 2019 Miss Indian Rodeo, including 20-year-old
Kade Bettelyoun of Wolf Creek, South Dakota. She was the youngest competitor for the title.
Miss Indian Rodeo is the official ambassador for the Indian National Finals Rodeo, INFR contestants, Indian Professional Rodeo, the spectators, stock contractors, sponsors, Rodeo Officials and all Native American Tribes throughout North America and First Nations of Canada.
Miss Indian Rodeo is a lady whom wishes to be a community leader, promote the sport of rodeo, who will portray good sportsmanship, high moral and ethical character, who will reflect careful humane treatment of animals, A young lady whom understands the sport of rodeo in its entirety, to be able to explain and sell the sport of rodeo, Who wishes to better herself and pursue her chosen career and goals.
According to her mother, JoDee Bettelyoun, Kade was born in Pine Ridge and raised on the family ranch at Wolf Creek. The daughter has been riding horse since she was 3-years-old and been competing in rodeos since she the age of 4.
Over the years she has competed in; barrel racing, breakaway roping, team roping, pole bending and goat tying. Throughout her years of competing, she has held the title of Miss Oglala Lakota Nation Rodeo Queen. The mother could not be more proud of her student athlete.
Miss Indian Rodeo Pageant: Kade Bettelyoun 1 | Kade Bettelyoun 2
Native Sun News Today interviewed the rodeo queen regarding her title, her values, her dreams and the meaning of being a positive role model for others.
“I grew up about five miles outside of Pine Ridge by Wolf Creek Village,” she said. “Growing up on the family ranch with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins there was and is always something new to learn such as dedication and hard work.”
Her decision to be in the sport of rodeo was not a conscious one. Having been raised on a ranch, riding a horse was a necessary part of life.
“I grew up on the back of a pony. I started riding at the age of three and started competing shortly after, so I don’t remember my first rodeo,” said Bettelyoun.
Dino was her first pony. According to the 2019 Miss Indian Rodeo, this pony had taught her the basics of riding and the importance of the relationship between the rider and the horse.
“After him I went on to the bigger horses and they have been a part of me ever since.”
Athletes choose sports for various reasons that include; geography, social groups, ability, talent and access to the items used in competition. In this case, that would be the horse and area to train in for Bettelyoun. Competitors learn many things from the sport besides the ability to become winners.
The Oglala Lakota rodeo star has learned many things from rodeo and horses. Some of the things that rodeo has taught her is that nothing is guaranteed, the importance of hard work and team work, and to “help people as you would want to be helped”.
Bettelyoun said, “The Indian Rodeo community is one like family and it’s important we look out for each other and each other’s animals.”
The Horse Nation is an important part of Native American culture and the relationship with the sacred animals is a cultural concept.
“One of my favorite memories is winning the JR Barrel Racing during Oglala Nation back to back in 2010 and 2011 on my rez pony Jeremy. We had such a unique bond; there isn’t a competition that goes by when I don’t think of him. Together we also won the Lakota Legends Tour rodeo,” she said.
Currently, Bettelyoun is studying medical biology at the University of South Dakota and hopes to attend medical school in the future. She wants to be in a similar career as her mother. JoDee Bettelyoun has been a nurse for over twenty-two years.
“She’s such a role model for me. I wanted to follow in her footsteps and help my people. Eventually I hope to become a psychiatrist because I feel that we often overlook mental health,” said Bettelyoun.
Contact Native Sun News Today Correspondent Richie Richards at richie4175@gmail.com
Copyright permission Native Sun News Today
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